Ironman 4×4 Standalone Recovery Points – 5th Gen 4Runner

Ironman 4×4 Offers Standalone Recovery Points Review & How It Works On the 2010+ 5th Gen 4Runner

A growing number of people have heard about the Australian-based company, Ironman 4×4 America.

For those interested in how the company started, I would encourage you to check out their website. You guys might not realize this company has been around for 60 years and they make solid products for several automakers, including many Toyota makes and models, including the 5th Gen 4Runner.

For this article, we will be reviewing Ironman’s standalone recovery points on a 2010+ 5th Gen 4Runner. Many people mistake the two front tie-down points on the 5th gen 4Runner with recovery points. These are not recovery points, however, tie-down points for when trucks are shipped to and from ports or for transport purposes. There are some guys that have recovered using these points, however, that is not recommended. When looking to recover your 4Runner, you should be recovering from a tested and weight rated recovery point that is bolted to your frame.

The Iron Man 4×4 recovery Point does just that. It gives you the ability to quickly add a proper recovery point for times when you get stuck and need to pull yourself out

Installation

Unfortunately, I installed these recovery points before having the opportunity to write an article, so someone will have to do an install write-up. If you are curious about the general process, you can check out the ARB recovery point install.

Aftermarket Bumper

Well, making the jump to a full-width or low profile bumper might be a bit too steep in price. These recovery points are a great alternative so you can hit the trails with a buddy and be pulled out if needed.

Find It Online

• Ironman 4×4 America Rated Recovery Points: Check Price

Specs and Features

Specs:

• Sold as a pair
• Working load limit 11,000 lbs
• Recovery holes fit 4.75t shackle
• Designed to mount to different vehicles
• All mounting hardware included
• KDSS compatible

Tools required:

• Torque wrench
• Socket Wrench
• 13mm, 17mm, 19mm Sockets
• Possibly an angle grinder, which I’ll explain later
• As a “nice to have,” getting a second person to assist will simplify the install but not needed.

The Ironman recovery points are bolted securely in four places to ensure a secure and sturdy fit when in a pinch. You’ll have 3 bolts on the side and one bolt on the bottom. Also, the recovery holes are great for D-rings or soft shackles depending on your preference. Since they sell these recovery points in pairs, you’ll have the added benefit of multiple recovery spots.

How Do These Look?

I came across this product when I visited Ironman’s showroom in Wilsonville, OR, and saw the product first hand on one of the employee’s Lexus GX460.

The red powder coat was the first thing that caught my attention. Then looking at the construction I could tell these were built sturdy compared to those factory mounting points they use when shipping the vehicle.

Once I got the recovery points installed on my 4Runner, I loved the aesthetic pop of color to help with locating them when stuck.

Do the Recovery Points Fit Well?

Installing these recovery points should be an easy bolt-on addition and the instructions say the install takes roughly 45 minutes.

Keep in mind they design these recovery points for several Toyota vehicles, so there might be bolts or mounting locations you won’t use during the install. However, the fitment on my vehicle was a bit of a challenge because of either how the vehicle was welded or the placement of a plate on the recovery points.

As mentioned in the tools section, I used the angle grinder to get the bracket to fit. Then I found a paint color that closely matched the bracket. To my knowledge, this did not affect the functionality and safety of this recovery point however you would want to check with Ironman to confirm.

The second challenge was getting the bolts to fit so you don’t end up puncturing the radiator.

This is a tight fit and both the nut and bolt clear the radiator enough so they are not touching.

I used most of the extra washers to help take up space. You can also go to the store and find a better fitting bolt but I was determined to make the recovery points fit with what I had. Overall, with some modifications, these fit well on the vehicle and will securely work as a tow point.

Side note: I asked Ironman prior to purchasing these if they knew of any bumpers that wouldn’t work with these recovery points. The reply I received was a confirmation that they only knew these recovery points fit their bumper. So, you’ll want to test fit any bumper upgrades you consider down the road. Otherwise, you might need to remove these if they don’t fit.

Final Thoughts

Fortunately or unfortunately, I have not been in a situation yet where I have needed to be recovered. I suppose that will change as soon as the vehicle is ready to hit more technical trails.

I know there won’t be an issue getting unstuck because of the solid construction and engineering of these recovery points. I look forward to putting these to good use and reporting back!

If you are looking to add a rated recovery point to the front of your stock 4Runner, this is definitely an option to consider.